Handling PrEP. Guidelines aren't out yet, but see the AETC Blog on how clinical consultants at HRSA’s NCCC use interim guidance, the latest research, and their clinical experience in advising HIV providers when it's best to prescribe ARVs for pre-exposure prophylaxis—and when it's not.

Responding to Latino Health Needs. Study results on best practices to reducing HIV/AIDS care barriers faced by Latinos in the U.S., in April 2012 CAREAction.

Health Centers and HIV/AIDS Capacity. See the 54 agencies taking part in national initiative to expand HIV/AIDS care capacity within the primary care delivered by HRSA-funded Health Centers.

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. From 25-35% of PLWHA are co-infected with Hepatitis C. May 19 is the first ever Hepatitis Testing Day. See the AIDS.GOV blog.

May 18 is HIV Vaccine Awareness Day.

Integrating Buprenorphine Therapy into HIV Primary Care. Lessons learned from Ryan White SPNS include: use dedicated "glue person" to own the program and serve as its face; team approach including a dyad model (nonphysician and prescribing physician); continuous screening of opioid abuse; and ongoing patient support. Also addresses DATA 2000 regulatory requirements, evaluation issues, and more. See also the TARGET Topic Page.

New CAREAction on Primary Care and HIV. Examples of primary care in various settings.

HRSA/HAB Reorganization Announced. First since Bureau's formation in 1997.

HRSA/CMS Letter on EHR Incentive Payments and Meaningful Use. Qualify for incentive payments under the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program. A first step for HRSA grantees in becoming meaningful users of EHRs is to take advantage of the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. Learn about eligibility, resources, and more. Learn more from healthit.hhs.gov.

Ryan White Oral Care Research Findings. "Innovations in Oral Health Care for People Living with HIV/AIDS," a special supplement to Public Health Reports, features 11 papers from grantees, HRSA/HAB staff, and the Surgeon General, on models that engage people with HIV/AIDS in oral care. See also Oral Health Topic page.

AETC National Resource Center Monthly Update for April 2012 features study results, new publications and fact sheets, upcoming trainings, and more.

HIVQUAL Regional Groups. Peer learning for Ryan White Part C and D grantees on quality improvement.

HHS adult/adolescent HIV treatment guidelines updated. New sections cover the cost of HIV drugs, HIV and older adults, when to start, the role of ART in preventing HIV, and more. See AIDSInfo. See also the HRSA Guide for HIV/AIDS Clinical Care for protocols on delivering HIV care.

in+care campaign on retention in HIV care adds new focus on engaging consumers. Sign up.

AETC Blog: Telehealth training brings HIV skills to a 5-state and largely rural region. Read about the Ryan White Northwest AETC's work, based upon New Mexico's ECHO telehealth program. Learn about HRSA's Telehealth program.

Part A Webcast archive addition: FY 2012 Part A Program Updates (audio only) Download slides (PDF)

Funding Opportunity. Health Info Technology grants to build capacity of Ryan White agencies to develop electronic client information data systems to help providers report client level data to HRSA. Due May 2.

HHS releases two proposed rules defining what certified Electronic Health Record products must address to achieve Stage 2 Meaningful Use status. Criteria were largely crafted by two federal advisory committees.

National Quality Center Quality of Care Awards Nominations due March 30. See the NQC for details.

HRSA Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs): SPNS Enhancing Engagement and Retention in Quality HIV Care for Transgender Women of Color. Demo sites and evaluation center applications due April 16.

DC's Whitman-Walker Health seeks Quality Improvement Director. See detailed posting online

Hepatitis C Treatment Update: Self-Study Module. Booklet offers education credit until June 30, 2012.

Medical Homes. Ryan White grantee achieves level 3 patient centered medical home status. Congratulations to the team at the Rainbow Center at the University of Florida (UF CARES), a Ryan White Part C and D grantee. Learn about Ryan White TA on medical homes. Interested in gaining medical homes recognition? Tell us what you need to know.

Follow the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program on Twitter (Follow @ryanwhitecare).

SPNS Report on Improving Linkages and Access to Care

Letter from HRSA regarding ban on use of federal funding for syringe services programs.

Updated fact sheet on the Affordable Care Act and People with HIV/AIDS

Guide to Cost Effectiveness of HIV Prevention Interventions from CDC.

CDC releases plans from 12 metro areas participating in the Enhanced Comprehensive HIV Prevention Planning Project (ECHPP).

What's in an HIV care model? Report says Ryan White offers foundation for care expansion under National HIV/AIDS Strategy, Affordable Care Act.

People living with HIV/AIDS and TB, and not on antiretrovirals, should start HIV therapy as soon as possible after start-up of TB treatment.

Learn about CDC's new High-Impact HIV Prevention

See the AHRQ Innovations Exchange catalogue of strategies for improving HIV/AIDS care, housed within larger catalogue of tools and innovations on ways to quality and reduce disparities.